Nasser Hussain vowed to fight on as long as possible for his country after his 13th Test century helped England close on 296 for three in the third npower Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge.

Hussain, 35, had his desire to continue as an international player questioned in some quarters following his decision to step down as captain between the back-to-back Tests which opened the five-match series.

But he made clear his desire to remain in Michael Vaughan's side, claiming he would be prepared to go on all three tours this winter prior to this match in Nottingham.

If he felt he owed his country and his team-mates something after dropping South African captain Graeme Smith eight runs into a hefty double ton in the innings defeat at Lord's, which put the tourists 1-0 up, he paid it back with a gritty, unbeaten 108, the largest proportion compiled alongside fellow centurion Mark Butcher.

The pair came together at 29 for two inside the first hour, after Vaughan won the toss, but remained steadfast during a 50-over stand worth 189.

After Butcher nicked Makhaya Ntini behind, Hussain celebrated reaching three figures with an uppercut during the single that brought up his landmark and two further punches into the air at the non-striker's end.

"It was just a release of a bit of frustration developed over the last few weeks," said Hussain.

"A lot has gone on in my mind and I had to dig deep to get a hundred out of myself.

"People know I am always in there for a fight, fighting for my country and you still feel after four-and-half years of showing everyone how much you care and want to do well, that you have to keep doing that. But that is what keeps me going and I will keep doing it as long as I can."

On reaching three figures, he added: "I was quite nervous actually, I am not usually nervous in the 90s but the hundred was a big thing for me today.

"I had to put my bat up again, people kept shouting `keep going Nasser' and for the English crowd to turn up like they did after the performance we put in at Lord's and get behind us like they did lifted me and would have lifted Butch as well."

Critics debated whether Hussain was worth his place having given up the leadership, in the build-up to the third Test.

But Butcher, whose 106 was his third Test ton of the year and eighth in all, insisted that is when the Essex batsman is at his most dangerous. "As soon as the vultures start circling for him you know there is a very good chance he is going to come up with something good," enthused Butcher.

"He wanted to prove it to people who were getting on his back a bit and also to himself; it was testament to his will and strength of character he did what he did today."

Unlike Lord's, Butcher and Hussain managed to dig in and prevent a middle-order capitulation despite the South African fast bowlers finding some prodigious movement both through the air and off the pitch. England resume with debutant Ed Smith unbeaten on 40, on what Hussain says is an `ugly wicket' covered in `grooves and cracks'.

South Africa captain Smith, who made a point of shaking Hussain's hand at the close of play, was not too disheartened.

"There is a lot of time still left in this Test match so I think it is still pretty even," he said.

"Nasser batted well, he looked really determined and focused and as though he had a solid game plan - he got very angry with himself a couple of times when he played at deliveries he shouldn't have."